Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: SS Charles S. Price
- Type: Steel Bulk Freighter
- Year Built: 1910
- Builder: American Ship Building Company, Lorain, Ohio
- Dimensions: 504 ft (153.6 m) length; 52 ft (15.8 m) beam; 28 ft (8.5 m) depth
- Registered Tonnage: 6,322 gross tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 23 m / 75 ft
- Location: Southeast of Port Huron, Michigan
- Coordinates: Approx. 43°00'20"N 82°30'20"W
- Official Number: [To be researched]
- Original Owners: [To be researched]
- Number of Masts: None
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The SS Charles S. Price was a modern steel-hulled Great Lakes bulk freighter, powered by a triple-expansion steam engine and built to transport iron ore, grain, and coal. She was part of the American Ship Building Company’s fleet of advanced freighters and represented the state of maritime cargo transport on the lakes in the early 20th century.
Description
The wreck of the SS Charles S. Price is notable for being the first large Great Lakes shipwreck discovered floating upside down. The vessel was lost during the Great Lakes Storm of 1913, which caused significant damage and loss of life across the region.
History
On her final voyage, the Charles S. Price was en route from Ashtabula, Ohio, to Fort William, Ontario, with a full load of coal. She was caught in the Great Lakes Storm of 1913—an unprecedented cyclonic storm that sank or damaged over 40 vessels and took more than 250 lives.
She disappeared on 9 November 1913, and the following morning an inverted steel freighter was discovered floating on the lake. Its identity was unknown, sparking widespread press coverage. After several days, divers and observers confirmed it as the Charles S. Price—making her the first large Great Lakes shipwreck discovered floating upside down.
Significant Incidents
- 9 November 1913: SS Charles S. Price lost during the Great Lakes Storm.
- 10 November 1913: Wreck discovered floating inverted.
Final Disposition
Eventually the overturned wreck settled on the bottom in 70–75 ft (21–23 m) of water southeast of Port Huron. The hull remains largely intact, and the wreck is well known in regional dive and maritime history communities.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck is marked on nautical charts as a known site. Divers should be aware of cold water, strong currents, and entanglement hazards typical of wrecks in Lake Huron.
Access is by boat, with entry points southeast of Port Huron. Conditions include cold water, occasional strong currents, and moderate visibility.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”charles-s-price” title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
All 28 crew members were lost in the tragedy. Memorials may be found in regional records and on Find A Grave. Additional research is needed to list crew names. Remember to respect the site and leave only bubbles, taking only memories.
Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record
This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
Other Names: None known
Official Number: [To be researched]
Registry: United States
Vessel Type: Steel Bulk Freighter
Builder: American Ship Building Company, Lorain, Ohio
Year Built: 1910
Dimensions: 504 ft (153.6 m) length, 52 ft (15.8 m) beam, 28 ft (8.5 m) depth
Tonnage: 6,322 gross tons
Cargo on Final Voyage: Coal
Date of Loss: 9 November 1913
Location: Lake Huron, southeast of Port Huron, Michigan
Coordinates: Approx. 43°00′00″N 82°30′00″W
Depth: 70–75 ft (21–23 m)
Home Port: [To be researched]
Owners: [To be researched]
Crew: 28
Casualties: All 28 lost
Description
The SS Charles S. Price was a modern steel-hulled Great Lakes bulk freighter, powered by a triple-expansion steam engine and built to transport iron ore, grain, and coal. She was part of the American Ship Building Company’s fleet of advanced freighters and represented the state of maritime cargo transport on the lakes in the early 20th century.
History
On her final voyage, the Charles S. Price was en route from Ashtabula, Ohio, to Fort William, Ontario, with a full load of coal. She was caught in the Great Lakes Storm of 1913—an unprecedented cyclonic storm that sank or damaged over 40 vessels and took more than 250 lives.
She disappeared on 9 November 1913, and the following morning an inverted steel freighter was discovered floating on the lake. Its identity was unknown, sparking widespread press coverage. After several days, divers and observers confirmed it as the Charles S. Price—making her the first large Great Lakes shipwreck discovered floating upside down.
Final Dispositions
Eventually the overturned wreck settled on the bottom in 70–75 ft (21–23 m) of water southeast of Port Huron. The hull remains largely intact, and the wreck is well known in regional dive and maritime history communities.
Located By & Date Found
Discovered floating inverted on 10 November 1913; later located on the lakebed southeast of Port Huron. Further sonar surveys have confirmed its final position.
Notmars & Advisories
The wreck is marked on nautical charts as a known site. Divers should be aware of cold water, strong currents, and entanglement hazards typical of wrecks in Lake Huron.
Dive Information
Access: Boat
Entry Point: Southeast of Port Huron
Conditions: Cold water, occasional strong currents, moderate visibility
Depth Range: 70–75 ft (21–23 m)
Emergency Contacts: USCG Sector Detroit
Permits: Not required outside sanctuary jurisdiction
Dive Support: Local charters from Port Huron region
Crew & Casualty Memorials
All 28 crew were lost. Memorials may be found in regional records and on Find A Grave. Additional research is needed to list crew names.
Documented Statements & Extracts
“The upturned hull of the Charles S. Price was discovered the morning after the storm, her name hidden and identity uncertain—until the horror became clear.” — Great Lakes Storm Archives, 1913
Registry, Enrollment & Insurance Trails
Official records to be consulted in U.S. Shipping Registers and insurance loss ledgers. Vessel enrollment and ownership documents held in National Archives, Great Lakes branch.
Site Documentation & Imaging
Photographs and side-scan sonar of the wreck have been made by NOAA and local dive expeditions. Imaging archives are held by the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society.
Image Gallery
Resources & Links
- Great Lakes Vessels Database (BGSU/HCGL)
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Chronicling America (Library of Congress)
- Newspapers.com
- Find A Grave
References
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society archives, 1913 Storm exhibits
- NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory reports
- Bowling Green State University vessel records: Charles S. Price
NOAA Shipwreck Record Card
Other Names: None
Official Number: [TBD]
Coordinates: 43°00′00″N 82°30′00″W (approx.)
Depth: 70–75 ft (21–23 m)
Location Description: Southeast of Port Huron, Michigan
Vessel Type: Steel Bulk Freighter
Material: Steel
Dimensions: 504 ft × 52 ft × 28 ft, 6,322 GRT
Condition: Inverted, relatively intact
Cause of Loss: Foundered during storm
Discovery Date: 10 November 1913
Discovered By: Unknown; sighted by vessels following storm
Method: Surface observation, later sonar
Legal Notes: Site not within NOAA sanctuary
Hazards: Cold, current, entanglement
Permits Required: None noted
You must be logged in to post a comment.